the nordstrom anniversary sale & a life update

HOWDY! would i even be an influencer if i didn’t post about the #nsale?

i’m sure you’ve heard of it, or over it by now, but it’s that time of the year for the @nordstrom anniversary sale! every year i browse this sale, i always tell myself i don’t need a single thing. and i don’t. but i always end up purchasing something/a few things. it’s almost inevitable. plus i had a couple of gift cards to spend #excuses. it’s a great time to gear up for fall (which seems crazy to be looking/trying on sweaters right now in this TX heat). but nonetheless, i ended up purchasing a couple of items and sharing them below along with things i’d get if i had a money tree.

these skinny jeans are perfect for work!

side ramblings: where to even begin with #lifelately? let’s start with food. i’m better with food and bullet points to highlight the latest.

EAT

  • @jjimBBQ: new-ish restaurant that i highly recommend. get the short ribs, seafood pancake, and the jap chae with portabella mushrooms

  • @gyukaku: japanese BBQ. this is fun food outing since you get to grill your own meats. there are LOTS of options!! the toro beef was my fave!

  • @uchiko: re-visited an old favorite that is always straight up solid. pro tip: always go for social hour, everyday from 4-6:30PM

  • @modernmarket: smoked salmon keto bowl goodness.

  • @phowithus: my go-to pho place down south. i also love the shaken beef and the matcha thai tea!

DRINK

  • @drinkmayawell: ATX based pre-biotic soda. i enjoyed the pear lime and can’t wait to try other flavors

  • @intelligentsiacoffee: FINALLY re-opened!!! my fave coffee spot, esp for the re-freshing coffee creations like the roadrunner (cold coffee + agave + grapefruit)

  • @banditcoffee: satisfies a matcha latte craving. may be the best one i’ve had in ATX

SWEETS

  • @jenisicream: offering ice cream flights! (so genius) perfect for when you want a little bit of this and a lil bit of that.

  • @zedsicecream: real fruit ice cream! loved the mango sticky rice one but you can also build your own. waffle cone is a must!

i took the last week off from work and it has been SO. GOOD. i finally saw friends that i haven’t seen in over 1.5 years. it was exactly what my soul needed. there were plenty of trips to the plant store to find replacements haha. there are people who are really good at either plants or succulents. i am neither of those people. but there ain’t no stoppin’ me!

currently on my playlist: something beautiful by Mat Kearney (who, BTW will be in ATX 10/15!)

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very awkward angle BTW but i had to show the slit somehow 🤣 i was pleasantly surprised with this purchase! can’t wait to wear it out!!

items i purchased from the @nordstrom aka #nsale:

#nsale tip: if you really want something just keep checking as the sale progresses and returns happen/things get re-stocked. also you can add it to your wishlist and it’ll notify you when it’s back in stock via the app. if you don’t get it during the sale, it’ll go back to regular price, but then it’ll go on sale again. so don’t fret.

  1. MOTHER the looker high waist crop skinny jeans in switch it up” — photo 1; these are great for work since it’s a dark wash (more formal) and there’s not distressing. they are only a 10” front rise so go a little below my belly button. they are stretchy since the composition has elastane and poly but i purchased my normal size (size 26). i styled it with an Express tie strap square neck bodysuit in this photo. they are also cropped so that means they are a normal length on my short 5’2” frame = no hemming WHOOO, ain’t nobody got time for that. esp during COVID.

  2. Zella live in cutout rib tank dress in purple nebula — photo 2; i didn’t really see any of my influencer friends post about this item except my gal @courtneerogers (BTW, she has the best finds!) which means it’s in STOCK. after her review i purchased it in this deep purple/almost black color! i’ve been wanting a cute athletic dress (ahem, one shoulder OV) and this one is very versatile! i love the ribbed material = forgiving and the best part is the side slit where you can control via zipper! style it for DAY: sandals, wedges, or sneaks layered with a denim jacket or tied around the waist. style it for NIGHT: chunky or strappy heels, bring up the slit, and layered with a leather moto jacket. SIZE down, i sized down to an XS here. and it also comes in black!

  3. WAYF clifton cutout rib sweater in vanilla — no photo bc it’s en route!; this one is different for me! but i’ve been drawn to these cutout styles that are layered. it’s a trendy statement piece so i plan on taking it full force with a midi leather skirt 😁 i purchased this in an XS based on the size chart and i believe this brand usually runs big & available in a dress form!

items i’d purchase if i had a money tree (ok, maybe they’re in my cart):

  1. Vince Camuto candialia sandal in bone nappa — reviews don’t look good. but it may work for my wide feet. i love the quilted detail but i honestly have too many square toe shoes.

  2. Brixton joanna straw hat in violet — i’ve seen this on @courtneerogers and it looks great on her! she’s a total hat person but i have too many hats that i don’t get enough/no wear!

  3. True & Co. true body bralettes — in triangle convertible or the lift mesh triangle. i hear the switch to wireless is life changing. but Target sells this brand. i’m not sure what the diff is so i may snag it there just to try.

happy shopping!,
JD

the summer leopard print midi skirt

summertime leopard.

when you find the BEST lighting everything else is effortless. it’s all about the lighting!

there is no lie. i’m a total skirt gal. i will admit that my skirt collection is a little insane. i own more skirts than i do pants & jeans combined! haha, and let’s not even get into how many pleated midi skirts i have #gulp. usually i associate animal print with more of a fall trend but when i came across this skirt it was summertime appropriate being blush and the leopard print is actually very subtle. into the basket it went. lately i’ve taken a liking to the pull on bias midi style, this one is a zipper closure but remains timeless. the material is a little thin and you can see the liner through it but doesn’t bother me. i styled it here with my fave tee for an everyday casual wear. the skirt is TTS, and actually high waisted so great parings for crop tops as well.

lastly, the utility jacket is probably my most worn jacket. great for when i (might) need a light layer and have no time to think about what i’m grabbing when i walk out the door. the best part is the pockets and so it’s my must have when i travel (and my movie jacket, haha, you have one don’t you!?). style tip: try a cognac waist belt on top of the jacket! what do ya think? with jacket or without?

#nsale: the. @nordstrom. sale gets its own little section. i wasn’t super impressed this year and everything sold out REAL FAST. currently only open to cardholders until 07/18 and everyone else on 07/19-08/04. everything goes back to regular price on 08/05. i’m sure they will restock but here are my slim-picking-picks with TOP 5 to make it easy: RAILS collins military jacket // FRAME le high waist skinny jeans // Caslon camo utility jacket // TOPSHOP funnel neck top // BP lace trim cami

side ramblings: thanks for all the well-wishes! last week was pretty low-key and i ended up having to decline a few events. taking it easy on food when really all i wanna eat is… like. everything. shamu-appetite is on pause for now. i finally watched To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before and for being a teen novel it was actually way too cute and i unexpectedly enjoyed it more than Always Be My Maybe! Lara J actually reminds me of myself in some ways :D lastly, @senreve is offering a pretty BIG gift with purchase worth mentioning: a complimentary Senreve bracelet pouch (valued at $145) if you spend over $500 and a complimentary Senreve envelope clutch (valued at $245) if you spend over $1,100. you can read more & see how i’ve styled my favorite bag from them — the mini maestra here. definitely a great time to pick up a bag if you were debating it & you should do a happy dance in your seat because i’m giving you my referral link to receive $50 off your purchase (and i get $50 so we all are winning) #shamelessadvertising

currently on my playlist: electricity by Dua Lipa & Silk City ft. Diplo & Mark Ronson

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top | Everlane cotton v-neck in white (wearing size small) — similar but over-sized (size down on this one) // similar but a crew neck
jacket | H&M utility jacket (ancient) — similar by Madewell // similar by Gap // love this camo one from the #nsale
skirt | Lucy Paris katia leopard print midi skirt in blush (wearing size small) — similar // similar by Leith // similar but a bias midi fit
shoes | Shein cut out slides in cognac (old) — love these metallic ones! // similar by Steve Madden // similar by Target // similar Hermes dupe // similar but a crossband
bag | J.Crew mini bucket bag in natural vachetta (old) — similar by J.Crew Factory and on sale! // similar but perforated // the OG by Mansur Gavriel // similar for $70 // similar by Cuyana
earrings | Kendra Scott emmett matte statement earrings in white — similar in metal // similar but mixed
necklace | Anthropologie monogram pendant necklace
sunglasses | Celine marta sunglasses in havana (my fave sunnies!) — newer design // love these for $99
rings | Gorjana amara ring set // Amanda Deer c/o CZ solitaire ring // Amanda Deer c/o CZ accents midi ring
watch | Michael Kors darci watch in gold

rock all the skirts,
JD

photo credit: Steven Gunter

the nordstrom anniversary sale 2018

#nsale2018

i am shocked that it's already time for the @Nordstrom anniversary sale! it means this year is RACING BY which is pretty dang crazy if you ask me. i digress.. this sale is all the rage (so bad that the site was down the first day for hours lol!) and what i love about it is the concept. you get to buy FALL items on sale NOW. after a certain date, everything goes back to regular price. and i should add it does seem wrong to be browsing and buying sweaters when its 100F in Texas... but i did see quite a bit of stuff i wouldn't consider fall. either way, what kinda woman doesn't love a good sale/shopping spree? gotta treat yourself sometimes ya know?! my rules for this sale never really change, so if you're new around here i've listed some of them below: 

  • you aren't really saving that much, maybe 25-30% off, so don't go nuts 
  • technically, you don't really NEED anything so be conscious of what you're buying. i.e., how many times are you going to wear it? perhaps go for more basic pieces
  • if you're unsure, buy now and ask questions later. this sale is huge so everything goes FAST
  • regret not doing the above? no worries, Nordstrom is really good at restocking during this sale so keep checking back if you really have to have it!

who Nordstrom
what | major discounts off fall items and always FREE shipping & returns
when | 07/12/18 - 07/19/18 (early access for Nordstrom cardholders); 07/20/18 - 08/05/18 (for everyone else)
where | shop.nordstrom.com or in-store

this year, i focused on work wear. mainly dresses (surprise!) which seemed to work out because i feel that those items are the strength of the sale; and the jumpsuit selection! i was not too impressed with much else and felt a lot of repeat items from the previous year. below are my picks and i included items i bought myself & items i would buy if i had a sugar daddy. haha. who even reads this?! 

my picks after the jump!

currently on my playlist: ocean by Martin Garrix & Khalid

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dresses //

jumpsuits //

tops & bottoms //

outerwear, accessories, shoes, lingerie // 

things i personally bought for myself (who knows what i'll end up keeping!):

  • Eliza J fringe hem A-line dress in blush -- great for work, might even be a little too dressy but esp love the high neck, length & fun fringy hem. a tad on the pricey side so not sure if it's gonna be a keeper
  • Tahari tie front crepe dress in black -- also comes in other colors and petite sizing. love the tie details and elbow length sleeve. this is my first piece from Tahari and i've always been a fan of their styles
  • ASTR the Label belted jumpsuit in navy -- i don't have a navy one and this looked casual and fun!

happy #nsale shopping y'all!,
JD